Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at the same timeframes to ensure accuracy. While David Peeples has an approval rate of 48% across his record since 2018, his latest-period approval rate is 54%. This sits 7 percentage points below the latest-period office average of 61% and 3 percentage points above the state average of 51%. These figures are based on a docket of 2,514 decisions on record since 2018.
Office- and national-level breakdowns of fully favorable vs denial rates aren't currently published by SSA in the per-office disposition data. The judge's own breakdown is the detail we have today.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Peeples's docket. Annual rates fluctuate with the mix of cases SSA assigns; the longer-run pattern is more informative than any single year.
Decision pattern
The approval rate for David Peeples has shifted since 2018. After an initial period of fluctuation, the data shows an increase in approval rates from 2023 through 2025. The latest period, representing fiscal year 2026 to date, shows a 54% approval rate, which is consistent with the recent upward trajectory observed in his decision-making.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Peeples's bench. Judge-specific preparation guidance requires a corpus of public Appeals Council decisions involving each judge, which we haven't built yet.
- Bring a clean treating-physician record. Longitudinal primary-care or specialist notes spanning the disability period, with consistent symptom documentation, are typically the strongest evidence at hearing. A single month's records usually aren't enough.
- Don't rely on consultative exams alone. If your medical evidence is built primarily around a one-time CE finding, expect detailed questioning. Supplement with treating-source statements where possible.
- Prepare for daily-activity questions. Have honest, specific answers about a typical day. Answers that conflict with the medical record (in either direction) tend to hurt credibility.
- Expect transferable-skills probing. A vocational expert will usually testify about jobs available to someone with your limitations. Your representative should be prepared to cross-examine.
About the Paducah hearing office
David Peeples's most recent office on record is the Paducah hearing office, with decisions there through July 2026. This office maintains a bench of 6 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. The office-wide latest-period approval rate is 61%, providing a benchmark for the local hearing environment.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Paducah
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 6 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with an approval rate range of 40% to 65% across their records since 2016. In the latest SSA file, 2 of these judges recorded decisions at this office.
Approval rates change with a lawyer
Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-18-37. The 3× gap is a population-wide average across all judges; individual outcomes vary.
Frequently asked questions
David Peeples has an approval rate of 48% since 2018. Across the 6 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, approval rates range from 40% to 65%. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
Yes, the data shows a trend of increasing approval rates in recent years, moving from 36% in 2019 to 55% in 2025. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strategy based on these trends.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is vital to be prepared for any judge. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
A hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and testimony. An attorney can help you organize your records and prepare your testimony to ensure your case is presented clearly.
The 48% approval rate on record since 2018 is a statistical observation of past performance, not a guarantee of your outcome. Your specific medical evidence and work history are the primary factors in your case, and an attorney can help you highlight these strengths.
